State

3 inmates sentenced for helping escape

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) - Three Chesapeake inmates will spend additional time behind bars for helping another prisoner to escape.

The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/Wxe5kj ) reports that Michael E. Darnell and Travis Christian each received a six-month sentence and a $500 fine on Monday in circuit court.

Thomas M. Evans received a three-month sentence and a $250 fine.

Evans and Christian had pleaded guilty to felony escape charges in October, while Darnell was convicted following a bench trial. The charges later were reduced to misdemeanors because of a paperwork error.

The inmate who escaped, Dan Starling, was sentenced earlier this month to an additional five years for escape and two years for a probation violation.

Starling's escape from the Chesapeake Correctional Center last June prompted the firing of two deputies. Three other deputies were disciplined.